Press Releases

LAURIER MACDONALD HIGH SCHOOL CONTINUES TO FOCUS HOLOCAUST EDUCATION THROUGH EXCHANGES WITH BIALIK

MONTREAL, OCTOBER 23, 2007- Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard is continuing to educate students about the Holocaust.

Through the efforts of Spiritual Community Animator Vince Lacroce, students at Laurier Macdonald have visited the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre, met with survivors and engaged in intercultural exchanges with students from Bialik High School in Côte Saint-Luc.

The goal of this year's Holocaust Sensitization Program with Bialik is to bridge the gap between cultures. It will entail dialogue on the topic of promoting tolerance and respect around the world and a visit to the Montreal Holocaust Museum whereby students will have an opportunity to appreciate and learn about the tragedies of World War II.

On Friday October 19, 40 students from Laurier Macdonald's Multicultural Society, accompanied by Mr. Lacroce and World History Teacher Steven Manstavich, went to Bialik for a program on "The Wartime Memoirs of Pope John XXIII." Students learned about and honour Cardinal Roncalli, who later became Pope John XXIII. During the Second World War Archbishop Roncalli was Apostolic delegate in Istanbul. He used his office to save thousands of Jews by providing them with false identities. Professor Alberto Melloni is Director of the John XXIII Foundation for Religious Studies in Bologna, Italy. He spoke about the late Pope and his activities during the war.

On Friday November 2, 150 World and Canadian History students from Laurier Macdonald will meet with Holocaust survivors Mr. and Mrs. Meir Schondorf and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Ehraman who will share heartbreaking memories of their lives in a concentration camp. The Holocaust was one of the most horrific, tragic and catastrophic events in all of human history. Over six million innocent people were barbarically and sacrilegiously murdered, owing to genocide and despotism.

On Friday November 9 (9:40 a.m.) at the school, three presentations will take place to coincide with Remembrance Day. Attendees will include Blackwatch Canadian Army Veteran James Whitehall, former British Naval Officer Alec Hall, Grown Force Canadian Officer George Mann, Canadian Merchant Navy Officer John Byers, Canadian peacekeepers Sgt. Randy Balkaran and Master Corporal Steve Leroux, Mr. and Mrs. Schondorf and Mr. and Mrs. Ehraman.